Dubai Bars & Nightlife
Establishment
neighborhood
Treehouse, Taj Dubai
Burj Khalifa St., Downtown
This sleek rooftop lounge is decorated with tons of foliage and string lights, the only nod to the kitschy name in the form of several sculptures of monkeys holding telephones. The bar has incredible views of the city and directly faces the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. Food-wise, there's a nice selection of Mediterranean share plates, a surprisingly good burger, and an array of trendy cocktails involving vapor and smoke.
Bagatelle
Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd.
A French bistro (with a Mediterranean-leaning menu) that gets progressively livelier as the night goes on, Bagatelle serves dinner until around 11 pm, and functions as a nightclub going into the am. The extensive wine list is a major draw.
Nikki Beach Club
Nikki Beach, Pearl Jumeirah
Some people will tell you that Dubai is akin to the Miami of the Middle East—like most comparisons, it's neither spot-on nor completely wrong. But if that's the vibe you're looking for, you'll find a version of it at Nikki Beach on Pearl Jumeirah island. The beachside pool is surrounded by lounge beds and private cabanas, outfitted in chic, all-white decor, with a gorgeous view of bright ocean just beyond it. As a bonus, the food at the indoor-outdoor on-site restaurant is good in its own right—particularly the sushi. Adjacent to the beach club is Nikki Beach's newly debuted resort and spa.
Armani/Privé
Burj Khalifa, Downtown
As strong as Dubai's mocktail game is, the city also has a vibrant club scene. Since liquor licenses mostly reside with the hotels in Dubai, so do the clubs (as well as many restaurants/bars). For a dressed-up night out, there's Giorgio Armani's club, located on the lobby level of the brand's hotel, within the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world). Inside Armani/Privé, it's sleek, modern decor set to a mix of local and international DJ's, from 10pm to 3am.